"Enough"?

We pay TOO DAMN MUCH.

Cut spending and cut taxes.

You get your money's worth and more. If you were at a restaurant, on vacation or at a bar and copped this kind of attitude, everybody and their brother would say you are just plain CHEAP!

Deep pockets and short arms. I've known dozens of folks just like you. What two hundred bucks? You blow that much on stupid stuff at Christmas.

Now now now- be nice. Read what was said here - that we already pay enough (agreed) - and that was an "overwhelming majority" (also agreed). There is also an overwhelming number that pay nothing because of those that work hard and pay are footing the bill for them. Some that are elderly cannot change their situation, but there are plenty of young people in Baltimore County that are on the public dole and are working age.

I see that the Washington papers have articles about your news conference. Where is the Sunpapers? I am surprised that the Post (very liberal media) published the article and in a way I am not surprised that the Sun is not mentioned. Guess Why? Not on their agenda.

It is not easy to go on the dole, as the British call it. The euphemism does not help. We are talking about public assistance and unemployment and the barriers for enrollment in either of these are stern indeed and a matter of public record.
No one who describes themselves as "already paying enough" would change places with a single recipient. I am not talking about pride, dignity or work ethic either. The quality of life of the unfortunates, who you so sadly point to as the culprits behind the tax quandary, is too desperate.

Scott, well written. This article appeared in today's Sun and is ominous in its forecast.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-un-developmenttre80t105-20120130,0,11448.story

As you said the wagon is getting too full.

What is of particular concern is what happens when those countries impacted cannot provide for their citizenry, the obvious response is migration. These large scale migrations will impact the current resources of developing nations.

The haves taking care of the have-nots.

Sorry that things are so rough for both of you. If I am reading correctly between the lines, it sounds like it is time to sign up, get your card and reap all of those wonderful benefits.

Buzz, how long has that Malthusian bogeyman been lurking? http://www.stolaf.edu/people/mckelvey/envision.dir/malthus.html

So much for drawing room math. Is this All-England Day or something?

The urge to make money and be a Success is not what's missing in the poorest of Americans. It might be something termed "social capital", something you get when you are born and while you are raised. Buzz, really you ought to adopt. Maybe adopt Scott and take him shopping.

Paul, you have the Sun nailed. Your explication of the far-reaching consequences of bankruptcy would do much to attenuate the jejune, ideologue critique of its editorial policy.

Ike, I have said over and over again to people, do your homework but it appears that you have put all of your eggs in one basket, a rather old and tattered one.

http://academia.wikia.com/wiki/Couttsian_Growth_Model

A quote from the link: "Thus, not only has the population been growing exponentially, but the rate of growth has also been growing."

Another link followed by another quote.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Robert_Malthus

"The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man".

Things are not rough for me and speaking for your comment on "drawing room math.", I wonder how these people feel about that math. I don't think Malthusian was around to ask them and I would say things are rough for them, but then you did not do your homework. How could you miss this if you did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuLb7aB7xzw&feature=related

Paul, the issues involving the human race are not always about the have and have nots, nor is it about taxes, wealth, and a host of other complex issues.

Now how are you going to solve this problem when the crisis expands as we are witnessing the current drought in Texas?

I don't think you can tax your way our of this problem and who decides on who gets the water, what is left.

http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/index.php?id=25

Hysterical predictions of population growth have been a constant in policy considerations for over two hundred years, Buzz. You find the same links I do, but you fail to read them. What you cite are critiques of Malthus (not Malthusian) and point to difficulties in predicting population growth.,

The deeper issue is the nonsensical xenophobic fear of Them and the nonsense that They somehow multiply like bacteria. Your people came here for a better way of life, too. Obviously, patterns of migration are about survival whether wildebeest or people.

Furthermore, famine and starvation and hunger are about the distribution of resources not shortages.

1ke, your quote: "The deeper issue is the nonsensical xenophobic fear."

My reply, did nonsensical xenophobic fear kill these people?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Death

Your quote: "Furthermore, famine and starvation and hunger are about the distribution of resources not shortages."

My reply, read this link, which you would have seen in my last comment and tell me where the DISTRIBUTION is coming from. You know how to make water?

http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/index.php?id=25

That covers the water, this covers the food.

http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/us_hunger_facts.htm

Read this quote? " ... the operation of the political and economic system in the United States which has tended to keep people from poor families poor, ..."

If food stamps is the answer, it's not working too well. You create a welfare state. Why work when you can get it for nothing. You are destroying the very fabric of what made this nation great, a work ethic, not welfare checks.

When is the last time you read the county budget. This is a trick question in order for me to gauge your abilities.

Paul you are correct, I jumped the gun on the Sun article. I get a failing grade on that one. You did your homework and those who do pass the test.

Paul, you are the expert on figures. In your opinion what is the fairest way to a credible tax code.

I think the current figure of 49% of people don't pay federal taxes because their incomes don't qualify. That has got to put a burden on the rest who do pay.

You can't have a system that allows the president's job czar to ship a large portion of his companies jobs overseas and then pays no federal taxes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/business/economy/25tax.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

If the system is fair across the board, then much of this would be a mute point, i.e. a flat or sales tax.

Buzz, federal rates only, as you have seen my comments before, I am utterly disgusted by our own corporations shipping jobs overseas, then keeping the profits overseas all so that they can avoid income taxes. These same companies, and the individuals who run them, then demand that our military protect them. That is immoral and done in the name of the almighty dollar "prophet".

If an individual earns money overseas it is taxed here, why do corporations get a break?

Regarding individuals, the 49% as you call them, may not pay federal income taxes but I would wager you that the combined FICA & Medicare (employer and employee =15.3%), sales taxes, gas taxes, and other fees paid by them to government as a % of their income exceeds the rate paid by Mr. Romney for the same. The fact that Mr. Romney avoids FICA and Medicare taxes because his income is "unearned" annoys me. The Healthcare Act gets at some of that income for high earners.

I would start by returning to the federal rates in existence at the end of the Clinton administration.

On people with significant unearned income, say over $1,000,000 from dividends, interest, and capital gains I would tax at the highest marginal rates. I see no benefit to our economy being derived from the reductions they receive from dividend exclusions and long term capital gains.

I find flat tax rates regressive by their very nature which is exactly how most states levy taxes, including Maryland. Continued....

I do not read your county's budget since I live elsewhere. Reckon I fail.

You apparently do not believe that water is a resource that is distributed according to a process that is governed by politics and military might.

You apparently do not believe that arable land is a scarce resource allocated by a political process enforced by military might.

Right. Keep working, Buzz. Maybe 39.99 hours per week at McDonald's and explain this to your kid who wakes up with an earache.

1ke, regardless of who controls that resource there is only so much they can be distributed. Once it's gone the point of who controls it is moot. How do you control something that is gone? Remember there is only so much to go around. I think that goes to heart of your point.

Land will always be fought over just as humans continued to fight over religion, love, hate and everything under the sun including sports.

I brought up the budget issue because again we are talking about resources, the availability and distribution of same.

Greece and other Euro nations are on the verge of finical default. Once the money runs out, the checking account reads 0 balance. Who sets the budget in your home? Who decides what amount is allocated to charity? Remember, you can pay as much taxes as you want.

I have an elderly friend who was denied some diagnostic test over the issue of his age and costs of those test. He worked his entire life and served is country in WW II and continued that public service after the war.

There will always be someone in charge of dolling out every form of our existence. To assume these issues are solely based on xenophobic fear is a bit of a stretch.

Discrimination runs the gauntlet in a variety of ways that go beyond your premise, otherwise why do we have a three party system? Not everyone thinks the same.

Paul, at what point do we stop with all the entitlements?

Entitlements are as follows: all Social Security and Medicare payments exceeding contributions+nominal interest; all home mortgage tax deductions; favored status for capital gains; all forms of public assistance including Medicaid and other medical assistance, public housing subsidies, food stamps, WIC.

Stop them all. Cut right to the bone. Dog eat dog. Every man for himself.

Scott, I assume you are talking about the federal budget. I give you the power of the axe and the power to raise taxes. Your job is to balance the budget and don't tell me it is a "good" start. Find the answer, you must balance the budget, this is your job.

Revenues are $2.4 Trillion, expenses are $3.6 Trillion, those are facts. Expenses are $1.4 Trillion for Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security is $700 Billion, debt service is $300 Billion, Defense is $600 Billion, and all discretionary spending is $600 Billion.

Get you axe out and tell us all what are you cutting?

Paul and 1ke, this video is an eye opener and paints a very real picture of what lies ahead.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/VtVbUmcQSuk

Comments please?

Another interesting fact just off the news channels is that 90% of all new mortgages are guaranteed by Fannie and Freddie and just watched the president's speech where he wants the banks to bail out those underwater. The analysis of that deal is the banks will pass the cost onto those who are above water.

I guess they can't read street signs because we've been down this road before several times and wound up at a dead end.

Actually, since I am still involved in the real estate industry, the dirty little secret is that mortgages have swung from obscenely easy to get, to now they are so difficult to get it is hindering the recovery.

Regarding banks passing on costs to other customers, they are doing that already on foreclosures now. The interesting question is will they lose less by cutting deals with customers than taking homes back?

Paul, you may have as point on the messenger. The leanings of the columnist could also sway opinions, just as the Sun is liberal so could this writer be of the same ilk.

The one thing you can't argue with is the amount of $$ involved in the deficit and debt. He mention his source as the CBO.

Either way you should be aware of the numbers. I do not want to bail out any more bad mortgages.

Case in point, my brother and I set up funds in order to provide my elderly mother with overdraft protection. We were told years ago this would take care of those issues.

Now we find out the bank is charging her fees and I have a real problem with that. My bank does not operate in that manner and I will take her business else where.

The recent public outrage over other fees of this type forced one baking firm to back off.

They are not going to lay the governments mistakes on the back of my 91 year old mother to bailout another bailout.

My father was a WW II vet and so was my best friend's father. Do you when my buddy went to get help for his mother he was denied and had to pay for her care.

The only way for my mother to qualify for assistance would be for her to exhaust all of her savings and property to become eligible.

Now, I look at that and talk to a medical person who does billing and when she tells me people who don't have ID or speak English walk into the hospital for free treatment, get it, at our expense, I'm outraged.

CB, I've been watching the news all morning and we are headed down the same path as before with these government backed mortgages.

You can fool me once but you can't fool me twice is my take on this entitlement.

Add this link to my above comment. At $15 trillion and counting this is not the way we should be headed.

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20100807-Across-Texas-60-000-babies-3859.ece

Way too many people don't pay any federal income tax at all ( numbers range from 44 to 50%)system is out of balance because far left loons push the notion that the tax system can be used to achieve social equity. And they suggest that only the poor and elderly don't pay ----- numbers don't add up. This is nonsense. Nearly every household should pay some level of federal income tax. No more freeloaders and deadbeats.

Somewhat ironic how the top 1% has convinced many of the next 50% to go after the bottom 49%. Class warfare anyone? It is the only way the top 1% can keep power.

What's crazier is how the top 1% has convinced so many of the poor white population of the south as well.

Paul, I agree that the action taken by the Republicans was abominable and was a direct violation of the rights to a free press.

Let me say this and we are reaching a point of no return on this issue.

Let's put aside race, party agenda's and simplify this into something we can all relate to.

Say for example, for any reason, be it a holiday or any other issue, you have an open house or a gathering, and all of sudden the guest list gets out of hand. As more and more people walk through your front door smiling and shaking your hand, you are worried about how are you going to feed and provide drinks for all of your friends, and their friends.

Next thing you know your house is overflowing, including the bathrooms, your booze is gone, and people are still coming. I saw many of these issues with teens having small get to gatherers that turned into riots.

At some point you have to draw the line and close the door or watch your house get trashed by people you know and don't know.

That's it in a nutshell. I can't simplify any more than that. That is the lowest form of a common denominator and it has a personal tone to it.

Except here it was not the number of guests, it was a concern about us seeing what was going on in that room. Absolutely shameful on Harris' part. Fracking and the potential health issues are of a concern to us.

Paul, I have always said it's not about party lines but issues.

To be more bluntly, it's not longer about U.S., but a hyphenated U.S. and that ain't never gonna work. Just look at the discourse on the many subjects on this site.

Much like our educational system, they are pushing kids through to meet the numbers, failing to realize they are ill prepared to face the daily struggles of life. As for the others, uninformed would be an understatement.

After watching this you'll know why I think we are in big trouble.

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/80691723/

CB, my remarks were used more as an analogy to the budget process and not the issue dealing with the film maker. As for overflowing, the $15 trillion indicates a serious crisis facing this country and indicates our resources are stretched to the maximum.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/04/us-debt-reaches-100-percent-countrys-gdp/

The Euro crisis could trigger a domino effect that could titer the world toward a great depression. If we default on the debt, the consequences are severe.

Scottt, good comment. Actually we fared better without the Department of Education which wasn't founded until 1980.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Education

I am so glad that Comrade Marty Owe'Mao-lley Obama Jr. is here to think for us. After all we are not smart enough to choose our own lightbulbs, shower heads, or toilets, so like his mentor, Chairman Barry Soetoro Oba-Mao, he will decide what our fair share is to fund his pet projects. These include a new lootrail from Woodlawn to Eastern Avenue and the bird killing, Chinese-made, scene-destroying windmill farms to support the ultra Leftwing nutjob, no growth, flat Earth, tree hugging, dope smoking, environmental Marxist agenda.

New troll, Buzz & Scott do you see what breeds in the bushes? Sadly, they multiply like cockroaches.

Scott, you apparently use a real name. As does Buzz and I. I despise those who hide behind pseudonyms and moan and groan. No offense intended toward you. We can disagree about policy in a civil manner, many others feel the need to hide behind fake names.

I do not use my name. I have my reasons, but among them is NOT the opportunity to bully, badger or throw insults.

In any case, the medium is not conducive to the kind of discourse that enables civil society, for lack of a better term. The ultimate lack of accountability negates even convincing arguments, not to mention rampant goofiness. In the end, the best I hope for is good clean fun that keeps me out of bars.

1ke, at least you honest abut your choice. I consider myself a professional and what ever the underlying reason is, I want to credit for my articulation as related to the issues.

I have worked hard to establish my creditability and hopefully that same creditability will have an impact on the issues.

I have dealt with numerous topics on this site with people who attempted to silence me. I can tell you that from experience that those in the halls of government carefully scrutinize remarks made by those who establish a knowledge of the facts.

My background goes back to the Morning and Evening Sun papers with a stint at the News American. I still engage in numerous behind the scenes issues. Good information is predicated on good sources.

There is an old saying that goes - If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

I prefer the heat becuase I think I'm a good cook.

To be respectful why do people continue to put the 50% of people pay no federal taxes stat out there without looking at the whole report. They were talking about it this morning on the Mike Church show!

Paul, take a look at this?

http://blog.heritage.org/2012/01/29/chart-of-the-week-top-1-percent-paid-38-percent-of-taxes/

CB, that is almost an impossible task based on the number of Google hits on that one subject alone. I typed in the following - 49% pay no federal taxes, and came up with 1,666,000 hits.

I hope the Mike Church show is a long one because you are never going to be able to cover this topic without the alternating theories on the different viewpoints..

http://money.howstuffworks.com/only-53-percent-pay-income-tax.htm

These are just a couple of over one million links on this subject.

http://money.howstuffworks.com/only-53-percent-pay-income-tax.htm

I think it's referred to as point - counter point. And the winner is, who the heck knows.

The one fact we cannot ignore is the number 15.

Your point? Romney made $20 million each of the last two years and paid about 15% in taxes which is $3 million in income taxes. If I made $50,000 and paid 15% in taxes I would pay $7,500 in income taxes. Forgetting FICA and Medicare, in this scenario if we were the only two income tax payers on the planet, Romney would have paid 99.75% of all income taxes? So your point is to reduce Romney's taxes? That is balderdash. That is a talking point, not an analysis.

"......I want to credit for my articulation as related to the issues."

That's pretty funny

Speaking of funny you forgot your period again. The end of a sentence, but not the end of the story. I have a ton of pictures on a certain website that I think the folks may get a kick out of, not to mention addresses, house guests, full names the whole nine yards. AKA?

Raises some very interesting questions?

You see there are people that do know you and had no problem with sending me the information. If I put this out there, no more shadows for you or your?

I don't think all of these people who see and read this will think it's funny. I don't think they will appreciate the exposure, but since you make it personal, I will oblige you. You start you games again and this time I'll play by your rules. Just to let you know the photos identify the people in them.

Now I know why you research skills were so focused. Seems you met some interesting people during your time. Fine citizens.

By the way, the heads in these pics will be the real ones and there are plenty.

Cb, sorry about the link being posted twice. It's the first mistake I have ever made in my life. If that doesn't work, how about I was tired, a computer glitch, I was hacked. It's not my fault, he made me do it, Can you think of more excuses I can use?

In the future I will stop repeating myself, repeating myself.

Another bogus threat from an impotent. Your threat isn' going to work Beeler and I am surprised Patch even allows it.
I will zip up an e-mail to New York and see what they say.

I e-mailed the HeadMaster at my kid's school and said if there is a creepy old fat guy hanging around outside it was Buzz Beeler.

Speaking of funny you forgot your period again. The end of a sentence, but not the end of the story. I have a ton of pictures on a certain website that I think the folks may get a kick out of, not to mention addresses, house guests, full names the whole nine yards. AKA?

Raises some very interesting questions?

You see there are people that do know you and had no problem with sending me the information. If I put this out there, no more shadows for you or your?

I don't think all of these people who see and read this will think it's funny. I don't think they will appreciate the exposure, but since you make it personal, I will oblige you. You start you games again and this time I'll play by your rules. Just to let you know the photos identify the people in them.

Now I know why you research skills were so focused. Seems you met some interesting people during your time. Fine citizens.

By the way, the heads in these pics will be the real ones and there are plenty.

C'mon Old Man Put your money where your mouth is.

Then I will show the response I received from AOL's legal department.

"I have a ton of pictures on a certain website that I think the folks may get a kick out of, not to mention addresses, house guests, full names the whole nine yards. AKA?
Raises some very interesting questions?

You see there are people that do know you and had no problem with sending me the information. If I put this out there, no more shadows for you or your?"

C'mon. Bueller lay it out there. Shut up or put up you internet Coward !

Hmm, long story I presume?

Paul this has been going on far too long. I have tried to ignore him, prod him gently, and nothing works. The courts will be the only way to deal with this.

People forget that everything they write is permanent.

I will say no more and let the experts take care of it.

Take this badge off of me;
I can't use it any more.
It's getting dark, too dark to see.
I feel I'm knocking on heaven's door.

Let's go you old Fart! AOL has very deep pockets. Hopefully, so do you and it's Editors.

See you in Court!

"I have a ton of pictures on a certain website that I think the folks may get a kick out of, not to mention addresses, house guests, full names the whole nine yards. AKA?
Raises some very interesting questions?

You see there are people that do know you and had no problem with sending me the information. If I put this out there, no more shadows for you or your?"

Well, we all will know who those people are shortly won't we Bueller?

Twenty one pages of comments from you towards me. In those 21 pages contain 4,279 words many of them directed towards me. I fact my name is mostly the only one you mention.

You seemed confused. AOL is not the defendant, you are. They have nothing to do with this. In fact if I will supply them with the 22 pages of your comments, including curse words, slurring my name calling me a racist, a member of the Dundalk KKK, repeatedly stating I was fired, calling me a bigot, and repeatly referring to me as a draft dodger. I still have my draft card. You have violated their and Patches terms of use as indicated by the deletion of some of your comments.

I am taking you to court for slander, and under MD Criminal Law 3-802 and 3-803 which is the law that deals with cyber stalking. That issue will be reviewed the the county states attorney. Read a copy of the law.

You forgot that every comment you ever wrote on this site is archived. You also forgot that removing an address from a state web site will serve no purpose because I have hard copies and you can be tracked down a variety of ways to be served with court papers.

I hate to break it to you AOL and it's deep pockets have nothing to do with this. They did not slander my name and reputation, you did. You will have to answer to that.

Go and ahead and post your reply from AOL.

Ha Ha Go ahead Bueller. Like I said I hope you and "your editors" have as deep as pockets as AOL because every thing you have sent to them is archived as well.

It should be interesting.

LOL Dude, It's only been like 20 minutes and somebody already asked me for the communications between you and Bryan Sears after you file the lawsuit.

They want to do a cartoon in the local paper called "Buzzman"

Bueller, It doesn't matter whether they changed their title from "Editor" to " Contributor"

They are all going to be rolled up into the counter suit.

...and stay away from my kids you creepy fat pervert.

http://www.ncvc.org/src/AGP.Net/Components/DocumentViewer/Download.aspxnz?DocumentID=47543

To Mr. Robert Armstrong:

Scroll down (page 9 of 25) and read the section of MD criminal law, 3-802 and 3-803 and read it. In compliance with that law I AM WARNING YOU TO CEASE AND DESIST ANY FURTHER REMARKS TOWARDS ME!

That is real brave coming from d. nielson a nameless person who risk nothing. Have you ever been accused of some of the things I have Mr. D.? Anyone accuse you of being a bigot, draft dodger, pervert, member of the KKK, getting fired from you job, a racists. Did you bother to look above. I mean after 25 years of experience online I thought you might know how to use your arrow keys.

Put you name where you mouth is Mr. D. I find it a little strange that with all of those 25 years of experience online as you say, THIS IS YOUR FIRST COMMENT ON PATCH.

Do you think for one moment I care what you think. Who are you that I should care about anything you say.

People like you always hide behind rocks because you don't have the conviction to stand up like a man, or whatever and speak your peace from behind that rock.

Now go craw back under it. Twenty-five years online and this is your very first comment on this site. That is a lifetime of experience raped up in one small box.

And what would you call your type, one that calls another a sociopath. Does the d. stand for doctor? Just asking since with 25 years online you should be quite informative. You think I was born yesterday?

"I have a ton of pictures on a certain website that I think the folks may get a kick out of, not to mention addresses, house guests, full names the whole nine yards. AKA?
Raises some very interesting questions?

You see there are people that do know you and had no problem with sending me the information. If I put this out there, no more shadows for you or your?"

Creepy Stalker Dude.

I am going to make sure you spend the rest of your life eating cat food.

You can threaten me all you want to but when you threaten "...not to mention addresses, house guests, full names the whole nine yards. AKA? "

Then you have pissed me off.

All your "informers" and everybody else you have corresponded with are all going to be subpoenaed.